All Diocesan Articles

The Blessing of the Easter baskets is a long-cherished tradition in the Catholic faith. Rooted in religious significance and cultural heritage, it has come to hold profound meaning for people of all ethnic backgrounds. Its roots date back to the early 12th century history of Poland, and is now observed by many Eastern European countries, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Many Eastern Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians, including Czechs, Croatians, Hungarians, Lithuanians, Russians, Slovaks and Ukrainians, also participate in this holy ritual. On Holy...

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Experience the Sacred Journey of Holy Week Cathedral of Saint Patrick, Norwich The Cathedral of Saint Patrick invites the faithful to enter more deeply into the sacred beauty of Holy Week through a series of solemn liturgies with the Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy. From Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday, these sacred celebrations offer an opportunity to walk with Christ through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Holy Week is the heart of the Church’s liturgical year—a time to reflect, remember, and rejoice in the hope of Easter. Holy Week Liturgic...

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Carpe diem is an old Roman expression frequently translated as “seize the day.” It reminds us to take advantage of the present moment and not to let opportunity pass us by. Whether an athlete in competition, an investor in the market, or a suitor in love, opportunities must be recognized and grasped, or they can pass away and be lost. Holy Week is one such opportunity. It is the most important week of the Church’s year because it commemorates the most important events of history. The Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and our faithful acc...

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The Week that Changed the World I’ll admit it, I look forward to Holy Week even more than Christmas. Every year, Palm Sunday feels like the Church is saying, “Come in close. Pay attention.” We start with palms, procession, and Hosanna—remembering the Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem—and then, almost immediately, we hear the Passion. That shift isn’t jarring by accident. It’s the Church giving us the full Gospel in one sweep: the praise, the suffering, the Cross, and the promise of the Resurrection. Palm Sunday doesn&rsq...

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Jennifer Hubbard was the keynote speaker at this year’s Diocesan Women’s Conference. Jennifer lost her daughter in the Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown. One would think that her keynote would be inspiring while at the same time including sad recollections of a terrible low point in her life. But that could not be farther from the truth! Jennifer’s talk was filled of inspirational antidotes from her life as a cradle Catholic- sharing very frankly the ups and downs of her faith journey. She stressed that as a believer she can always count on two facts - ...

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"The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me." (Is 61:1) The 2026 Chrism Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, March 31, at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich. The Most Rev. Richard F. Reidy, Bishop of the Diocese of Norwich, presided over the sacred liturgy, which marks a highlight of Holy Week. This special Mass featured the bishop's blessing of the holy oils — used throughout the year for sacraments such as Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders — and the Renewal of Priestly Promises by the clergy ...

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